Naxos Blog » New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Podcast: An Interview with Peter Breiner (Extra)

Raymond — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 07:20:46 +0000

An interview with Peter Breiner who was commissioned to create orchestral suites from the operas of Czech composer Leos Janacek.

These brilliant arrangements truly reflect the unique musical language that make Janacek’s operas some of the best written in the 20th century.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570555 & 8.570556

Subscribe to Podcast: Enhanced* | Regular | iTunes Store
Download this Episode: AAC* | MP3

* enhanced version of the podcast contains chapter markers and cover art.

About Raymond Bisha

Next Volume of Janacek’s Operatic Orchestral Suite

Kelly — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:51:53 +0000

On April 28, Naxos releases the second of a three-disc series of recordings of orchestral suites created from operas by Czech composer Leoš Janáček. The second volume of suites, arranged and conducted by Czech-born Peter Breiner, features performances by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The two suites in the release include orchestral themes and vocal material from the scores of Janáček’s romantic tragedy Kát’a Kabanová (1921) and his fantastical The Makropoulos Affair (1926). A third and final volume of Janáček/Breiner suites, including music from his operas The Cunning Little Vixen and From The House of the Dead, is slated for future release.Composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor Peter Breiner, who has contributed to over 100 Naxos recordings, received a special commission to create the suites exclusively for the label. Breiner is a passionate advocate for the music of his fellow Czech compatriot, with whom he shares a birthday, July 3. Breiner also played in an orchestra based in Brno, Czech Republic, for two years, which is where Janáček spent a lot of his time and saw many of his works premiered.

Breiner notes that the project is the first time that selected material from Janáček’s operas appears in purely instrumental form. Regarding the first set of suites featuring music from Jenůfa and The Excursions of Mr. Brouček, previously released by Naxos in February 2009, Breiner remarked: “These are not your regular suites, which would only include the orchestral music from the operas (overture, interludes, preludes, postludes, and intermezzos) … These suites have plenty of material that was originally vocal (solos, duets, choruses) and was ‘converted’ into instrumental music.” Breiner’s challenge was to choose the highest quality excerpts and themes that were most representative from each opera, cautiously editing and revising them to ultimately create fresh orchestral suites that would appropriately reflect the composer’s distinctive style and colorful aesthetic.

Podcast: The Theatre Music of Jean Sibelius

Raymond — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:00:03 +0000

The great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius is best known for his seven great symphonies. Lost in the shadow of these monunental works is some equally wonderful music he wrote for various theatre productions.

This podcast looks at this music, and a new recording by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570763

Subscribe to Podcast: Enhanced* | Regular | iTunes Store
Download this Episode: AAC* | MP3

* enhanced version of the podcast contains chapter markers and cover art.

Podcast: Majestic Journey - an interview with euphonium virtuoso Adam Frey (extra)

Raymond — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:00:24 +0000

An interview with euphonium virtuoso Adam Frey about his CD Majestic Journey, with music by Kevin Kaska, John Golland, Vladimir Cosma, Peter Graham and Philip Sparke.

Adam talks about the history of the euphonium and commissioning composers to write new music for his instrument.

Album details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570538

Podcast: Rautavaara’s Symphony No. 8

Raymond — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:00:52 +0000

An introduction to the latest symphony by Finnish Composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, his Symphony No. 8 “The Journey”.

Album Details…
Catalogue No.: Naxos 8.570069